Proposed Civic Chorus Bylaw Amendments: Please see the attached current bylaws for reference. Below are proposed changes agreed by chorus members who volunteered to be on the Bylaw Committee. The consensus was these will benefit the Civic Chorus in the long run, assuming multiple or even changing scenarios. We will vote on these amendments next Monday, May 7, at the chorus potluck at the Sertoma Park Community Building (adjacent to the amusement park). We'll shoot for the business meeting to start at 7:00 p.m., which will allow members to come any time and eat when they want. This notification is for your review as well as comment. Feel free to "Reply All" with your input via email prior to the meeting 5/7/12. This will give members a chance to air opinions and ask questions throughout the rest of the week, so everyone is more prepared to vote by Monday. Tim Davenport

1. Article II: Members, Section 2 Existing verbiage: Voting members of the Chorus include performing members, the Musical Director, and the Accompanist.

Proposed verbiage: Voting members of the Chorus include performing members, the Musical Director, and board members.

Explanation: The accompanist is a position paid by the rehearsal or concert performed. There is no commitment required by this person, and it seems odd to have them included as a voting member. The change to "board member" is because another proposed bylaw change is to allow non members to be board members. See the proposed change and explanation below. _______________________________________________________________

2. Article III: Directors, Section 2 Existing verbiage: The Board of Directors consists of eleven voting members. Voting members include seven directors, the President and the President Elect (all elected from among the voting members of the chorus) ...

Proposed verbiage: The Board of Directors consists of eleven voting members. Voting members include seven directors, the President and the President Elect (a majority elected from among the voting members of the chorus) ...

Explanation: This will allow community leaders to be elected to the board of directors who are not Civic Chorus members. Stating that a majority have to be Civic Chorus members protects the chorus from being hijacked by outside interests. This effectively means that from zero to five board members can be from outside the chorus. _______________________________________________________________

3. Article III: Directors, Section 2 Existing verbiage: Each voting member has one vote; proxies are not permitted.

Proposed verbiage: Each voting member has one vote.

Explanation: Allowing proxies will give members a chance to vote when they can not physically attend a meeting. _______________________________________________________________

4. Article III: Directors, Section 10 Existing verbiage: The size of the Chorus shall not be reduced below 60 members as a result of resignations, unless approved by a vote of two-thirds of the members of the Chorus’ Board of Directors.

Proposed verbiage: An effort should be made to maintain a minimum of 60 members.

Explanation: The understanding of the committee was this section was intended to keep a future director from reducing the size of the choir to a level that would change it from a "community" choir to a more professional performing group. However, we think the wording is inappropriate for this intention. It makes it sound like the board would reject member's rights to resign from the choir, which would be untenable. _______________________________________________________________

5. Article VI: Duties of the Musical Director, Section 1 Existing verbiage: The Musical Director shall: a) make the final decisions regarding musical matters, including: 1. auditions 2. selection of performing members of the Chorus 3. repertoire 4. rehearsal times 5. concert dates 6. selection of accompanists b) be responsible for the planning and execution of the weekly rehearsal c) be responsible for recommending an annual budget to the Board of Directors for review, which budget shall include music purchases, stipends for the Musical Director and accompanists, and equipment.

Proposed verbiage: Section 1: The duties of the Musical Director will be included in the Musical Director's contract, to be created by the board of directors and reviewed annually. Section 2: The Musical Director shall: a) be responsible for recommending an annual budget to the Board of Directors for review, which budget shall include music purchases, stipends for the Musical Director and accompanists, and equipment. b) be responsible for recommending a preliminary concert schedule to the board of directors for review and approval at least one year in advance. The Musical Director or the board may propose further changes, subject to approval by the board.

Explanation: The consensus of the committee is that procedurally, the duties of the Musical Director are better determined within a contract that includes a list of duties. This gives the board and the group the flexibility to change duties in the event the Musical Director quits, or there is an emergency need. This also gives the board both the flexibility and the responsibility to review the contract annually, and make changes if necessary to better the organization. While we don't see this happening often, the bylaws should be written to accommodate such an event. Item b) would give the Musical Director the responsibility to submit a schedule for concerts to the board for approval. This gives the board a mechanism to voice opinions and provide input into the concert schedule. Currently, the bylaws could easily be interpreted as saying the Musical Director has all authority to determine the concert schedule. While this isn't what typically has happened with the current Musical Director, it is a badly written policy and could easily be abused. The last sentence gives the Musical Director and the board the authority to make last minute changes to take advantage of opportunities or for the betterment of the chorus. _______________________________________________________________

6. Article VII: Duties of Performing Members, Section 2, Paragraph f) Existing verbiage: f) Participation in Evening on Broadway and Evening at the Opera shall be voluntary. No member shall be eliminated from the Chorus because s/he chooses not to participate in Evening on Broadway or Evening at the Opera. Membership in small ensembles or participation as a soloist is at the discretion of the Evening on Broadway director.

Proposed verbiage: f) Participation in the Christmas and spring concert events are mandatory. Additional concerts may be scheduled with the approval of the board. Participation in additional concerts is strongly encouraged, but not mandatory.

Explanation: The committee thought the proposed verbiage was simpler to understand, and mentions the Musical Director's and board's right to add concerts. We did not see the need to specify the duties of the Evening on Broadway director in the bylaws. This should be done within a contract or agreement with the Evening on Broadway director. _______________________________________________________________

7. Article VII: Duties of Performing Members, Section 3 Existing verbiage: A performing member is expected to participate in all scheduled performances of the concert season, which will be determined prior to the first rehearsal of each season. A performing member is required to participate in the Christmas concert, one run-out concert, and the spring concert events.

Proposed verbiage: The concert season will consist of two required concert events: Christmas concert (2 performances) and Spring concert (including run out concert and Bismarck performance). A performing member is expected to participate in these four performances of the concert season, which will be scheduled prior to the first rehearsal of each season.

Explanation: The committee thought the proposed verbiage was more precise, while not changing the intent.